5 talking points from Liverpool 1-0 Fulham – includes Scrappy attack but more solid defence 

5 talking points from Liverpool 1-0 Fulham – includes Scrappy attack but more solid defence 

Liverpool secured a narrow victory over Fulham in stark contrast to Sunday’s drama against Spurs.

Liverpool 1-0 Fulham

Goals: Salah 39′ (penalty)

No repeat of the Spurs roller coaster

While Spurs’ game was a blistering mess after Liverpool took a 3-0 lead, this game against Fulham was a bit more settled overall.

Perhaps it’s a stretch to call it total control for Jurgen Klopp’s side as Fulham still had a strange and dangerous moment, but there was none of the madness of a few days ago.

It was 1-0. It could easily have been 0-0 as by far the best chance created by Liverpool came out of nowhere from a penalty, but they forced the possession problem enough to get that one goal. Klopp would probably prefer it that way, although he would like his attackers to have a lot more composure in the future.

Press

Whether it was players coming into the line-up to impress or a desire to attack in their second successive home game in eight days, Liverpool’s pressing seemed more intense, or at least more effective, at the beginning.

The front four, often consisting of Diaz, Jones, Nunez and Salah, were joined by Henderson and Fabinho as they tried to thwart Fulham’s buildup from behind while trying to capture the ball high up the pitch.

On one occasion, Henderson collected the ball high up the field, creating a good chance for Nunez, who had snatched the ball from him at the last second.

Nunez himself won a penalty by completing Issa Diop, touching the ball and drawing the foul. It was something out of nowhere to indirectly produce the first goal of the match by eliminating a player.

Defense structure plus Alisson

The experiment with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield obviously worked and it’s worth sticking with.

The problem was how the rest of the team worked to cover that space defensively.

As shown against Spurs they don’t always do well but the defensive structure looked much stronger in the next game.

Ibrahima Konate is effectively a right-back in possession, and both he and Virgil van Dijk have done a much better job of covering that space when transitioning from attack to defence. Van Dijk was wrongly blamed for many defensive failures against Spurs as he was often isolated, but in a more organized unit against Fulham he looked like the defender we know best.

The left-back’s ability to score crosses hasn’t really been tested and while there’s still work to be done, it’s been an improvement for the defense individually and as a team.

One of the best chances Fulham had in the second half was Alisson to save them. A reminder that he was one of the best (arguably the best) goaltenders in the league this season.

scrap attack

Although Liverpool took the win, much of their attacking play lacked control and fluidity in the final moments. The attackers who entered the team were very direct players who could disrupt an opposing defense, but too often they lost control of their own offensive actions.

This was summed up even when Nunez won the penalty as the reason he charged the opposition to win the ball back was because he himself had lost the ball due to a bad touch.

Such touches were the order of the day, accompanied by poor choice or poor passing execution in the final third, which continued throughout the 90 minutes.

home run

This is the second of three home games in eight days, with four of the Reds’ last six games being played at Anfield.

The away games are against relegated Leicester, the last match of the season against Southampton, who may have been relegated at that time. It’s been quite a favorable run as Liverpool seek to qualify for the Europa League after an overall disappointing season.

Still, it’s a chance to get Anfield back into some kind of feel-good factor and make it a fortress again.

Four points behind Man United in fourth place despite playing two more games. A top 4 result seems unlikely, but a good end to the season will put us all in a better mood this summer and lead us into next season.

Also.. 

Liverpool 1-0 Fulham: Liverpool performance player ratings

Liverpool battled to a 1-0 win over Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday night, with Trent Alexander-Arnold once again thriving in his new role.

Goal: Salah-pen 39′

Alisson (out of 10) – 8

As we approach the end of the season, Alisson has quietly been Liverpool’s player of the year.

At Anfield there was further proof of that, with the Brazilian making a superb save from Carlos Vinicius before the break, and an even better save by the same player after the break.

An incredible goalkeeper.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8 (Man of the match)

Another game, another outstanding performance from Trent in his new role as traveling midfielder. The 24-year-old tested Bernd Leno with an early try and just missed the goal from distance as he oozed quality with the ball at his feet.

He also defended well at right-back when needed and just looks a lot happier than he did a month ago.

Ibrahima Konate – 7

Konate didn’t seem entirely comfortable with Trent being licensed to go midfield lately, but he was good here.

On his 50th appearance, the Frenchman made a brilliantly timed tackle from inside the box that thwarted danger and generally used his pace and power well.

Liverpool’s best central defender at the moment.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Van Dijk was not himself against Tottenham last weekend and it is still not the conquering colossus who has been the best in the world in his position between 2018 and 2022.

He made a key early clearance to deny a goal and was largely solid, in fairness, but easier to run away from than he once was.

Maybe we expect too much sometimes.

Kostas Tsimikas – 6

Tsimikas was brought into the starting lineup at the expense of Andy Robertson, but it was a random exit on his part.

Like his left-back team-mate, he didn’t find it easy in a polished role, not always looking strong in a positional sense, but he did make an important interception when Fulham escaped in first half time.

Fabinho-7

Fabinho’s form has improved a lot in recent weeks and he was good again against Fulham, although not yet at the level he was before.

The 29-year-old has kept things neat and tidy in midfield, has maintained possession in the tight quarters and is looking much more confident at the moment.

Jordan Henderson-6

Henderson’s performances have been forgotten throughout the season but overall he has done quite well in Liverpool’s midfield.

The captain was diligent and helped Trent to create space in midfield, but the lack of technical quality was evident, as witnessed by an atrocious ski attempt just before the break.

He shoots narrowly wide from 25 yards and has made good contact with Mohamed Salah a few times.

Curtis Jones-7

Looking like a different player lately, Jones has enjoyed a run in the squad and he caught the eye again on Wednesday night.

The youngster once again gave his best impression of Gini Wijnaldum, protecting the ball, connecting with his teammates and generally being a key cog in the machine.

Based on these findings, he will be a practical team player next season – perhaps some have written him off too quickly.

Mohammad Salah – 7

Do you remember when Salah apparently had a “bad” season?

He may not always have been at his best, but he now has 29 goals this season and is the first Reds player to top 18 in the league in six different seasons since the club last promoted to 1962. Salah was always a threat, missing from a tight angle after fantastic footwork, and kicked in a penalty to open the scoring.

A bit sloppy in possession, but we let it go.

Luis Diaz – 6

Diaz’s goal last weekend was a good moment after such a long injury but this was a more calm performance against the Cottagers.

The Colombian was a lively presence from the start, seeing a shot go just wide and his unpredictability made him a problem for defenders.

However, he faded a bit as the minutes went by, which is to be expected.

Darwin Nunez – 5

Nunez returned to the team instead of Cody Gakpo, but was generally disappointing and did not benefit from its opportunity.

Admittedly, he won the punishment that Salah converted, but his touch and his decision were poor and he simply did not affect the procedure.

In the current form, he does not gain any place in the strongest XI of Liverpool.

Substitute

Cody Gakpo (on Diaz, 65 ‘) – 7 – delighted to review, produced a big race.

Andy Robertson (on Tsimikas, 65 ‘) – 6 – seemed to strive to make a point without absolutely a large quantity. Harvey Elliott (for Nunez, 83′) – 6 – Can’t really make a difference but worked hard.

Diogo Jota (for Salah, 83′) – 6 – Not really noticeable but didn’t do anything wrong.

James Milner (in place of Jones, 83′) – 6 – Same as Jota.

Unused substitutes: Kelleher, Matip, Gomez, Carvalho

Jurgen Klopp – 7

Klopp grabbed headlines after his touchline antics over the weekend, so he’ll be happy to have focused on football again.

The Liverpool boss deserves huge credit for improving his side’s fortunes over the last month or so, with five consecutive Premier League wins on the way. While far from an Anfield classic, it was a solid win needed after the defensive capitulation against Spurs.